Tests so far negative for TB at Upstate

Preliminary tests this week on dozens of SUNY Upstate Medical University employees showed none have been infected with tuberculosis, university officials said today.

"Results of the testing to date is reassuring as there is no evidence of transmission of TB infection at this time, though we are still in our preliminary stages of testing," spokesman Darryl Geddes said in a prepared statement.

Staff will test at least 75 more employees. Repeat testing also will be needed in eight to ten weeks, Geddes said.

Upstate officials announced last week they would test 140 employees for tuberculosis after a non-clinical worker was diagnosed with an active case of the potentially fatal disease. The infected worker, diagnosed Dec. 20, did not have contact with patients.